Ben Montpetit

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

UC Davis

Ben Montpetit is an associate professor at the University of California, Davis in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He obtained a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia (2007) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia (2007-2008) and University of California, Berkeley (2008-2012). The research conducted within his research group involves the genetics and cell biology of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and National Science Foundation. As a principal investigator, Ben aims to identify, recruit, and mentor trainees who will become the future of our national and international scientific workforce. As Chair of a department, and past leader of both a large biomedical graduate group and PhD admissions committee, he develops and promotes best practices in admissions and mentorship to ensure trainees are selected in an equitable way and supported throughout their degree. This has required changing longstanding admissions practices, reducing inequities related to funding, encouraging participation of historically underrepresented populations, and training faculty mentors at UC Davis. These efforts are motivated by Ben’s desire to contribute to a dynamic, innovative, resilient, and productive STEM community that will benefit society.